WE REFER to 'Unanswered queries about love courses' on Sept 4, by Mr Brian Selby.

Programmes in schools are meant to supplement, not replace the role of parents in inculcating the right values and imparting life skills to students.

The Social Development Unit (SDU) is working with the polytechnics and universities to introduce relationship programmes as an elective. The aim is to teach appropriate relationship and family values, and equip them with skills in relating to others.

The programme has been generally well-received and students have found this helpful in their personal development. As announced in the Marriage and Parenthood Package, the SDU will be exploring with the Ministry of Education to extend this to JCs and the Institute of Technical Education. If introduced there, students are free to opt out should they wish to.

We thank Mr Selby for his feedback. If he has further concerns or needs more clarification on the above, he may wish to write to SDU via e-mail: mcys_sdu@mcys.gov.sg

Wong Kuan Ying (Ms)
Deputy Director
Social Development Unit

Sum Chee Wah (Ms)
Director, Education Programmes
Ministry of Education

This article was first published in The Straits Times on September 17, 2008.

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